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Wild in the Country

Sat Sep 12, 2009 12:05 am

I've read so much about what a waste of talent Elvis' film career was, that it's a surprise to put on a movie like Wild in the Country and see him in a straight dramatic role. It's amazing to me this film even got made, it offers so lititle of what was in the typical Presley flick. Aside from the title song, Elvis sings "Slipped, Stumbled, Fell" and "In My Way" (where was "Forget Me Never"?)...oh yeah, and "Husky Dusky Day" I was surprised to see Alan Napier, aka "Alfred" from the Batman series, as the college professor. Also thought motel manager was a bit of a wisecracker, he's lucky Glenn didn't pop him one! I guess Millie Perkins was the Dolores Hart-type in this film, cute, lovable - I would've fallen for her, but Tuesday Weld was tempting! Interesting, after all that unfolded, to see Elvis/Glenn shake hands with Hope Lange at the end as he borded the train, I was expecting a passionate embrace. But with Tuesday watching from the waiting room, who knows? What did you think of this film?

Re: Wild in the Country

Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:41 am

Lonely Summer wrote:...after all that unfolded, to see Elvis/Glenn shake hands with Hope Lange at the end as he borded the train, I was expecting a passionate embrace. But with Tuesday watching from the waiting room, who knows? What did you think of this film?

That ending was a hasty re-shoot.

In the original one, the Hope Lange character died, and it was the Millie Perkin's one who saw him off....................

Re: Wild in the Country

Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:13 am

Interesting. I don't know much of the backstory of this film, please share more. Millie was a cutie, I'd like to have seen more of her in Elvis' films.

Re: Wild in the Country

Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:15 am

Lonely Summer wrote:Interesting. I don't know much of the backstory of this film, please share more. Millie was a cutie, I'd like to have seen more of her in Elvis' films.

They filmed the original with the Hope Lange character's suicide bid being successful.

Millie Perkin's character then saw him off on the train to college, with Tuesday Weld looking on.

At the test screenings, the US audiences didn't like that ending.

In a panic, they quickly recalled the cast & shot the new ending, in which Hope [now having survived] sees him off.

Unsure exactly what their relationship should be now, they 'played safe' and had them politely shake hands.

The original [more logical] ending should be reinstated on DVD !

BTW - US cinema audiences are notorious for not being able to stomach 'sad endings' !

I remember the David Essex film Silver Dream Racer had to have a special 'happy' ending shot for the US market !

And, needless to say, both versions are readily available on DVD !

Re: Wild in the Country

Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:44 pm

I'd like to see the 'sad' ending. Definately should be on the dvd. I don't mind a sad ending, life is like that much of the time.

Re: Wild in the Country

Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:45 pm

Lonely Summer wrote:I'd like to see the 'sad' ending.Definately should be on the dvd. I don't mind a sad ending, life is like that much of the time.

Well, at one time, American audiences were averse to such things !

For the sake of the box-office, special 'happy' endings had to be shot for them [see my example above].

Re: Wild in the Country

Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:32 pm

ColinB wrote:

Lonely Summer wrote:I'd like to see the 'sad' ending.Definately should be on the dvd. I don't mind a sad ending, life is like that much of the time.

Well, at one time, American audiences were averse to such things !

For the sake of the box-office, special 'happy' endings had to be shot for them [see my example above].

I'm not disputing that, Colin, but I'd still like to see the original ending.

Re: Wild in the Country

Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:37 pm

Lonely Summer wrote:

ColinB wrote:

Lonely Summer wrote:I'd like to see the 'sad' ending.Definately should be on the dvd. I don't mind a sad ending, life is like that much of the time.

Well, at one time, American audiences were averse to such things !

For the sake of the box-office, special 'happy' endings had to be shot for them [see my example above].

I'm not disputing that, Colin, but I'd still like to see the original ending.

So would I !

Re: Wild in the Country

Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:06 pm

Me too!!!I may add that Hope Lange was lovely. A pity her movie career never took off.

Re: Wild in the Country

Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:42 pm

Ah, but the British version of the classic sci-fi film "Invaders from Mars" is the one with the happy ending whereas the US version is more claustrophobic.

I do wish the DVD of "Wild in the Country" had both endings. Maybe when it goes to blu-ray...unless blu-ray folds up shop.

Re: Wild in the Country

Sun Sep 27, 2009 10:45 pm

RonBaker2003 wrote:Ah, but the British version of the classic sci-fi film "Invaders from Mars" is the one with the happy ending whereas the US version is more claustrophobic.

I do wish the DVD of "Wild in the Country" had both endings. Maybe when it goes to blu-ray...unless blu-ray folds up shop.

What's this? Blu-ray not doing so well? I'm waiting for the implant version.